Automotive Terms

Page Image

Caption1

Page Content

Page Image2

Caption2

Page Content2

A/M — aftermarket parts, or those that are manufactured by companies other than the original equipment manufacturer

Hot rods — cars that have been customized for performance or appearance. The best explanation for the origin of the term is that it’s a contraction of “hot roadster,” meaning a roadster that was modified to go fast.

A “hot rod” also refers to the cam inside the engine or other engine modifications. The hot rod community has now been subdivided into two main groups: hot rodders and street rodders. Hot rodders build their cars using a lot of original, old parts and follow the styles that were popular from the 1940s through the 1960s. Street rodders build cars (or have them built for them) using primarily new parts.

LKQ — like kind and quality parts, generally referring to used parts from a vehicle recycling center or salvage yard. These parts are defined as “like kind and quality” because they are from a vehicle just like the one being repaired. Typically they should be from a vehicle the same year model as or newer than the vehicle being repaired.

Lowrider — a car or truck that has had its suspension system modified (sometimes with hydraulic suspension) so that it rides as low to the ground as possible. Lowriders are very often classic cars from the 1950s that rode low to begin with, although large numbers of 1940s and 1960s cars — and, to a lesser degree, newer vehicles — are also modified.

Muscle car — a high-performance automobile. The term principally refers to American, Australian and South African models and generally describes a rear-wheel drive, mid-size car with a large, powerful V8 engine and special trim, intended for maximum torque on the street or in drag racing competition.

OEM — original equipment manufacturer. Basically, this means the parts specified will come from the manufacturer of your automobile or by a supplier who manufactured the part to a specific set of criteria and standards.